Sunday, September 30, 2012

Special touches...

You may have noticed the fans on the chairs in my last post. I took a better picture here, along with the etsy seller that made them (well, her card, not actually HER):


I've had brides make things like this on their own, but honestly, I think ordering them it much easier! The white card flipped up for the ceremony program. This seller is Urban Elements - I checked out their etsy site and they have a lot of great beach related items. I love their starfish mason jar:


A lot of times, the company you use for your stationary (invitations) will be able to make programs, seating cards, place cards, menu cards, etc. Its a great way to tie everything together.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Ultimate Cruise Ship Wedding!

There are a million and one different ways to have a cruise ship wedding. Often times it is just the bride & groom coming off the ship, leaving friends & family at home. Sometimes it is 100 of the bride & grooms closest friends & family joining them in the week long celebration. For those that have guests, we often hear two different opinions on the reception. Some couples choose to have the reception back on the ship, often making arrangements at the higher end restaurants that the ships have...or even reserving the nightclub on their ship for a few hours. But other times, we have couples that want to have a true island experience, get their guests off the ship and show them an amazing time. And this is why we created the Ultimate Cruise Ship Wedding Package! The name is lame, sorry, I couldn't think of anything better....and it really does describe the package! Absolutely everything you need is included in this package...photography, transportation for you & guests, open bar, delicious lunch, live music, DJ, centerpieces....and more! Check out the Ultimate Cruise Ship Wedding Experience here.

Our wedding on Monday wasn't exactly this package, but it did help to inspire the creation of this package. We often do these type of events for cruise ship weddings, but this is the first package we've created specifically for this type of event. Since Monday's wedding was very similar, I took a lot of photos that I'll share here. I'll also point out what would be considered an "upgrade".

First, with the package you have your choice of a garden ceremony or pool ceremony. Here is a picture of Monday's wedding ceremony in the garden:









Upgrades to the package: Chair ties ($2 each) and flowers for the aisle chairs (pricing varies), crystals hanging from the large palm ($200)

You also have your choice of the pool deck for the ceremony which has views of the harbor (and if your ship is in Havensight, you'll be able to see your ship!).

(Photo by Elisha Orin)




One of the best things about Villa Botanica is the covered reception area. We did have a small rain shower (lasted less than 5 minutes) at our wedding on Monday and nothing (and nobody) got wet! Here are a few pictures of the set up:






Upgrades: Flowers (the package includes shell, glass vase & candle centerpieces, with the option of lanterns for no additional charge - pricing on centerpiece upgrades vary), chair covers & ties ($4.50 per chair). Included in the package is table linens & napkins.

And a few special touches added by our bride....luggage tags to direct guests to their table...


And adorable little silver sailboat to hold their name cards


The package does include a wedding cake


But I think our bride had a sweet tooth - she also ordered these adorable miniature fudge cakes for each guest...



She had these adorable shell ring holder and flower girl "basket"...




And of course, the package includes a bouquet & boutonniere, but you do have the option of adding additional flowers for the bridal party:





But you know what the best "upgrade" or "add-on" is?? The Caribbean Dancers!! These are always such a big hit - weddings guests love it. It's so unique and so Caribbean. I wish I had known about them for my own wedding, I would had them in a heartbeat!



Nothing better than a limbo at a reception! I'm not kidding, it gets the crowd moving!


Monday, September 24, 2012

A Vieques Wedding!

My husband and I spent the last five days in Vieques, a small island just south of Puerto Rico (and also a party of the US territory). Vieques is very much different than of the Virgin Islands. It is predominately Spanish/Latino. It is incredibly under developed. One resident called it "St. John....just 30 years ago". And it's a gorgeous location for a wedding.

There's not too many places in the world where wild horses will drink out of your pool.


Vieuqes has amazing beaches for ceremonies.


As well as gorgeous villas for receptions.


The W is the main resort on the island, with top notch service. Not quite top notch food & beverage though. My $18 margarita that was too terrible to even drink was a bit more than disappointing, but the beaches and pool on the property was amazing. I don't think guests would complain too much surrounded by such beauty and service.

If you're interested in a wedding in Vieques, please let us know. We'd love to return for more amazing events!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A maid & her flowers...

The florist and I have recently developed a three tier price for maids flowers. The pricing starts at $30, then $55 and then $75. I know this will create a lot of questions about the differences so what better way to highlight it than a blog post!?

A $30 price point is going to be just a small gathering of flowers, probably 5 or 6 blooms, a little greenery and some ribbon tied neatly around the middle. It won't look like a traditional maids bouquet but almost as if she had just picked some flowers. Here is a photo of 2 $30 small gatherings next to a brides bouquet:






The $75 price is what we consider a "standard" maids bouquet. Nice full bouquet but smaller than the brides bouquet.






The $55 price is what I call a "happy medium" - this bouquet looks like a traditional bouquet but is smaller than the standard bouquet but fuller than the smaller gathering.


Now bridal bouquets start at $110 but you can always request a maids bouquet instead of a bridal bouquet as well.

Hope this was helpful!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Down & Out In Paradise






That's the super duper strength Mucinex D that you have to have the pharmacist grab for you from behind the counter. And a strong bottle of antibiotics. It's all working to fight this massive head cold and ear infection I brought back with me from the mainland. Booooo! I hate being sick and it almost always happens when I visit the states. Never has it been this bad though. I had to send my assistant to coordinate my wedding this evening and I think I'll have to send her out again tomorrow. My voice alternates between whispers and goose sounds. I seriously sound like a goose if & when my voice decides to make an appearance. If I don't return phone calls for a few days, this would be why!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Wine Box Ceremony

I'm sure everyone knows what the unity candle is and many of you know about the sand ceremony (a unity candle for the beach in essence) but I don't know if everyone is as familiar with the wine ceremony? This is where the bride & groom box up a bottle of wine with love letters to each other. They say that on the 50th anniversary they can open up the box and enjoy the wine while they read the love letters to each other....but that if they hit a rough patch along the way, they can open up the box, drink the wine and be reminded as to why they fell in love and were married in the first place. I always thought this was a sweet idea but for a destination wedding, it can be tricky getting that box of wine home. It's something that could easily be done without incorporating it into the ceremony as well - something the two of you could do at home once you return.

I was reminded of the wine ceremony when I got an email from UnCommon Goods - I love that store! They have some great wedding gifts and this awesome Anniversary Wine Box.

How cute is this? It's customizable with your initials and wedding date and holds three bottles of wine, to be enjoyed on specific anniversaries (they have 1st, 3rd and 5th anniversaries labeled on the example but I think we can aim higher than that, no??). I think this makes an amazing gift to give to a couple getting married but it's also a lovely gift for you to give each other, especially with the love notes tucked inside!

Friday, September 7, 2012

More photos to share!

Just a reminder that I am off island will have limited email access over the weekend. I will return to St. Thomas (and a normal schedule - yay!) on Monday. 

Thanks to Jennifer & Owen for sharing their wedding photos with me! Their ceremony & reception was held at Secret Harbor Beach Resort this past summer. Paradise Pictures provided professional photography.




Our coral centerpieces looked great with the blue orchids.


Love their cake from Island Sweet Stuff!


Large bamboo arch, bamboo runner, conch shells and greenery....very pretty!


If you have wedding photos you'd like to feature on the blog, please let me know - I know future brides love seeing what past brides have enjoyed!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Photo shares!

I love when a bride sends me photos from her wedding day, especially when she has brought her own photographer from home. It's nice to see a wedding through an unfamiliar photographers perspective. Thanks Ally for sharing these photos with me! And thank you Peirce Photography for allowing us to share the images. Ally was married on Lindquist Beach and had her reception at Bolongo Bay...







If you are a past bride and wouldn't mind sharing some photos for the blog, please send them to janelle@islandblissweddings.com - I know we'd all love to see them!